Lehigh University:

Elisabeth & Donald Smyth

Don Smyth started his career with 16 years in private industry, but Lehigh University is where he and his wife, Elisabeth, found their home.

"I had always wanted to have an academic career, and I was attracted to Lehigh because of its size, traditions, and its developing reputation for serious research," recalls Don, who joined the faculty in 1971 as director of the Materials Research Center. He and Betty soon found they were part of an interesting, diverse, and congenial faculty. Watching the development of undergraduate and graduate students has been extremely rewarding.

In 1995, with a wall full of honors for his work regarding the chemistry of complex metal oxides used in electronic components, Don retired. However, he remains professionally active. In 1996, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Then he and Betty began to think about ways to give back. "Betty and I are very fond of Lehigh. We have enjoyed our time here and I have always been appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of research and teaching."

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 recently turned their talk into action. The legislation, which is only available until December 31, 2007, allows gifts to charitable organizations like Lehigh to be made directly from an IRA account without a tax penalty. "We were able to give more and pay less in taxes, so it was a very favorable time to make the gift" says Smyth.

Together, they decided to make a gift to scholarship. "We wanted to leave a lasting memory," Don explains. "One hundred years from now, students will still be receiving scholarships because of our gift. Now our name will be part of Lehigh forever."

For more information on how you can make an impact through an endowed scholarship, contact Lorraine Wiedorn '84G, director of planned giving, at (610) 758-4874.